Arkansas State University

Tommy Raffo was named head coach of the Arkansas State baseball team on July 1, 2008. He has accumulated a 361-415-1 record during his 15-year tenure as the head coach of the Red Wolves. Additionally, he has compiled a 17-16 record in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament after the program was a combined 1-18 in the event from 1999 until his arrival. His program holds the distinction of being the only SBC program to win two games at the conference tournament in every year from 2010-2017.

Raffo became the fifth head coach in the history of the A-State baseball program after serving as an assistant coach at Mississippi State from 1994-2008. During his time at Mississippi State, he served as the hitting and outfield coach for a Bulldog program that made three trips to the College World Series. Under his direction, the Bulldogs posted a team batting average of .300 or better in eight of 11 seasons. 

In 2023, Raffo was inducted into the prestigious Ron Polk Ring of Honor at Mississippi State University, commemorating his illustrious playing career with the Bulldogs and successful stint as an assistant in Starkville.

DRAFT PICKS UNDER RAFFO
Now entering his 16th season as head baseball coach at Arkansas State, Raffo has revived the Red Wolves baseball program. He has had 17 players drafted since arriving in 2009 and has sent 21 players play in the minor leagues. The Red Wolves had four players drafted in 2015 to tie the school record for most players drafted in a single MLB draft with the 1995 squad. David Owen was the top draft pick of the class in the 19th round, while Stuart Levy was taken in the 27th round. Chandler Hawkins (33rd round) and Zach George (35th round) were A-State's other two draft picks. Bradley Wallace became the second-highest draft pick in school history at the time when he was taken with the 307th pick in the 10th round by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2014, while Daniel Wright and Logan Uxa were each taken by the Cincinnati Reds in 2013.

Jacob Lee became the school's highest draft pick in 2012 when he was taken in the ninth round by the Cleveland Indians before Tyler Zuber unseated him by being selected in the sixth round by the Kansas City Royals in 2017. In 2018, Peyton Culbertson became the second-highest draft selection in school history, being taken 237th overall in the eighth round by Miami. Kyle MacDonald was picked up by the New York Yankees in 2019 before Liam Hicks was taken in the ninth round by the Texas Rangers in 2021. Six of A-State's 17 draftees have been taken in the 10th round or better since Raffo's arrival after having only three players picked in the 10th round or earlier before he stepped foot onto campus.

AT ARKANSAS STATE (2009-PRESENT)
2023: Raffo's 15th season at the helm in 2023 saw the Red Wolves go 20-31 overall and finish 9-19 in league play. A-State swept South Alabama to end the season - its first sweep over the Jaguars since 2012. Brandon Hager earned a spot on the All-Arkansas team after leading the team in batting average (.348), OPS (1.157), hits (63-tied), home runs (15), RBIs (55), slugging (.657) and on-base percentage (.500).

2022: In 2022, the Red Wolves finished 11-38 overall, but recorded their second consecutive series sweep over rival Little Rock. A-State earned an extra-inning victory over Central Arkansas for its first win in extras since the 2019 season.

2021: The 2021 campaign saw one of the top power outputs in program history, as the Red Wolves belted a Raffo-era most 60 home runs, led by Tyler Duncan's 11 bombs. A-State overcame a tough 3-12 start to finish 16-18 the rest of the way, but picked up Sun Belt series wins over Little Rock and Georgia Southern while earning a win in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. Third-baseman Ben Klutts (1st Team) and the outfielder Duncan (2nd Team) earned All-SBC honors, marking the first time since 2018 A-State was represented on the all-league team.

2020: In a season that was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, A-State played 16 games and picked up a pair of three-game series wins, finishing 7-9. 

2019: A-State drove in the second-most runs in the Raffo era (329 RBI) while hitting 47 homers led by Justin Felix's 10. Notable wins included conference series wins over Troy, South Alabama and Coastal Carolina in consecutive weekends, while rallying from a 5-0 eighth-inning deficit to oust 15th-ranked Ole Miss on May 14.

2018: The 2018 season saw the team's lineup affected by injuries before and during the campaign, but the Red Wolves were able to qualify for their ninth straight Sun Belt Conference Tournament with an 11-19 league mark that included series wins over Louisiana-Lafayette, South Alabama, and in-state rival Little Rock. MacDonald led the team with 15 home runs, which tied for the second most in school history, and was named to the ABCA Central All-Region First Team for his efforts along with earning SBC Newcomer of the Year and All-SBC Second Team accolades. Jeremy Brown garnered First-Team All-Sun Belt Conference honors as an utility player and hit 20 doubles, tied for the third most in school history. Additionally, the A-State pitching staff registered a staggering 22 quality starts after having only 10 the year before.

2017: The 2017 team claimed the program's first winning season since 2014 and won two games in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament for the eighth straight season, the only team in the league to accomplish that feat. The Red Wolves posted a 17-12 record at home, including wins over No. 24 Louisiana Tech, a series victory over Cincinnati, and a win over Ole Miss at home for the second straight season. The 5-0 win over the Rebels was the first shutout over Ole Miss in school history. The Red Wolves went on a season-high five-game win streak late in the season beginning the win over Ole Miss followed by two memorable victories over Little Rock to claim the seventh seed in the SBC Tournament. The Red Wolves and Trojans played an 18-inning contest May 18 with A-State winning 9-8 in a game that tied for the longest in Division I in 2017 and was the second longest game in school history. The next day the team put up 19 runs in a 19-2 victory to sweep the Trojans in the two-game set. The final two games of that win streak came in the SBC Tournament when A-State began with a 21-4 win over Georgia State, which were the most since in a game since 2014 and the second most in Sun Belt Conference Tournament history. The Red Wolves followed with a 4-2 win over West Division Champion UT Arlington to advance to the semifinals before losing to eventual champion South Alabama.

The squad's offense set the school record for hit-by-pitches with 100 and also tied for the most home runs during the Raffo era with 34. The team had the highest runs per game (6.02) and RBI per game (5.40) this season in the BBCOR bat era, which began in 2011. The offense also stole 62 bases which was just one away from tying the most during the Raffo era. Additionally, the A-State pitching staff accumulated 462 strikeouts in 2017, which is the second most during Raffo's tenure. Joe Schrimpf became the program's all-time leader in career RBI with 146 and also set the school record for sacrifice bunts in a career. Schrimpf's name is dotted among the top 10 in a host of other categories including career hits, walks, total bases, hit-by-pitches, at-bats, and triples.

2016: A-State overcame a handful of injuries to put up a 29-29 record during the 2016 season, including winning two games in the SBC Tournament for the seventh straight year, the only team in the league to do so. The Red Wolves began the Sun Belt slate with a 4-11 record, but rebounded with a 9-6 mark down the stretch to claim the eighth spot in the conference tournament. The team also claimed a victory over No. 6 Ole Miss in its final home and nonconference game of the year May 17 with a 8-6 triumph over the Rebels. The A-State offense broke the school record for triples with 22, a mark that had stood since 1949 when that team hit 20. Raffo helped third-baseman Tanner Ring earn First-Team All-SBC honors, while Schrimpf picked up Second-Team All-Conference recognition as an utility player. It was the first time since 2012 that A-State placed multiple players on the All-SBC teams.

2015: The 2015 season was a bit of a roller coaster for Arkansas State with the team starting out 14-20 before Raffo took over the offense for the team's final 23 games and saw the team finish strongly with a 13-10 mark to end the season, winning two games at the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. A-State had some early season success as the team went 7-3 in its first 10 games, including winning two out of three games against No. 7 Louisville, marking the first time the Red Wolves had won a road series against a ranked opponent since taking two of three games against No. 18 Western Kentucky in 2010.  A-State capped off those first ten games with a sweep of NCAA Tournament participant Houston Baptist in Houston. However, the conference season proved to be a tough go with A-State starting out 5-15 in SBC play before rallying to earn the eighth and final seed in the conference tournament by winning seven of its final nine league games. The Red Wolves also had to deal with terrible weather throughout the season as the team had 26 of its 57 games altered in some form or fashion by inclement weather.

Zach George became the team's first All-American position player, and second player overall under Raffo and first position player since Josh Yates in 2007 to be named All-American. George led the nation in on-base percentage at .548 and led the conference in batting average (.399), hits (81), walks (52), and doubles (22) to earn ABCA and Louisville Slugger Third-Team All-American honors. He was also a finalist for the Gregg Olson Breakout Player of the Year award.

2014: The Red Wolves experienced a number of “firsts” in 2014 as the program went to its fifth straight Sun Belt Conference tournament and won at least two games in the postseason for the fifth straight season. Raffo guided his squad to a 32-27 overall record and an 18-12 mark in league play, earning the No. 3 seed in the SBC Tournament and advanced to the semifinals for the second straight season. 

A-State defeated the second ranked team in the nation (Louisiana-Lafayette) 6-4 at home on March 4, marking the highest ranked opponent the team had ever played and defeated at Tomlinson Stadium. The Red Wolves also set a new attendance record when a crowd of 1,143 was on hand to watch Arkansas State take on Ole Miss on May 13. Several players set career milestones in 2014, including David Owen who was named to the Gregg Olson Breakout Player of the Year watch list. Dustin Jones became the school's all-time leader in games played with 228 and Chandler Hawkins spun a gem in the SBC Tournament with a complete game shutout in an elimination game.

Raffo, who also coached the corner infielders, helped the Red Wolves' achieve the highest fielding percentage in school history at .974. A-State committed just 57 errors during the season, the second fewest in the Sun Belt Conference. 

2013: Raffo led A-State to its fourth straight appearance in the Sun Belt Conference tournament and the Red Wolves are the only team to have at least two games in the tournament during that span. Raffo perhaps faced his toughest task in 2013 as the Red Wolves were plagued by injuries and were forced to adjust their lineup throughout the year.

After a loss to Troy on the first day of the SBC Tournament, A-State bounced back to defeat Western Kentucky and then knocked out the Trojans in an elimination match. Raffo also helped several players reach career milestones, including Ryan Emery who became the school's all-time leader in walks and finished among the top five in career RBIs at the school. 

2012: Raffo was named SBC Coach of the Year after leading Arkansas State to a 34-23 record and a 19-9 record in Sun Belt Conference play. A-State finished second overall in the SBC and the 34 victories were the most for any team in the Sun Belt Conference and are the most in Raffo's tenure. A-State also advanced to the championship game of the SBC Tournament for the first time since 1996. Senior pitcher Jacob Lee earned SBC Pitcher of the Year honors and Louisville Slugger Third-Team All-American accolades. Closer John Koch and shortstop Dustin Jones were also All-SBC second-team selections. 

2011: Under Raffo's direction, A-State ended the 2011 season with an overall winning record (30-28) for the first time since 2005 and finished above .500 in Sun Belt Conference play (16-14) for the first time since 1998.  Arkansas State not only made its first appearance in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament since 2006, but was one victory away from playing in the tournament's championship game.  The Red Wolves advanced to the semifinals, enjoying their best run in the tournament since 1996.

2010: In 2010, the Red Wolves finished with second-highest team batting average in school history (.312) and recorded the most hits (647) and third most RBIs (345) in school history.

2009: In his first season, Raffo led the Red Wolves to a 23-30 record in 2009, and although Arkansas State missed the Sun Belt Conference tournament by one-half game, the team showed a great deal of improvement over the previous season. The Red Wolves won 12 Sun Belt Conference games in Raffo's first season, up from just eight the year before, and A-State's overall record showed an improvement of three wins over the 2008 season.

The Red Wolves raised their team batting average an impressive 36 points over the previous season, finishing the year with a team average of .296. Five players hit .300 or better, compared to just one in the previous season, with one, sophomore Murray Watts earning All-Conference honors at the conclusion of the season. All-Conference selection Chase Ware helped keep the Red Wolves strong on the mound in 2009, and Ware signed with the Cincinnati Reds organization at the conclusion of the season.

AT MISSISSIPPI STATE (1994-2008)
During his 15 seasons at Mississippi State, Raffo served as the recruiting coordinator for the Bulldog baseball program, landing 10 straight recruiting classes ranked in the top 33 nationally by Collegiate Baseball. Under who many consider the "Father of Southeastern Conference Baseball," legendary head coach Ron Polk, as well as Pat McMahon, He coached seven All-America players and four Academic All-Americans. Raffo was named as the 2007 Southeastern Conference Fellowship of Christian Athletes Coach of the Year, and during his time at MSU, 49 Bulldogs were chosen in the Major League Baseball Draft.

Raffo's outstanding recruiting at MSU paid dividends for the program as he helped the Bulldogs reach the SEC Tournament 12 times, with two championships to their credit. Mississippi State also made 11 appearances in the NCAA Tournament during Raffo's time with the program, winning five regional titles. The Bulldogs made three appearances in the NCAA Super Regionals and advanced to the College World Series in 1997, 1998 and 2007. Raffo coached one Johnny Bench Award winner (Ed Easley), given annually to the top college catcher in the country, and helped seven hitters finish the season in the SEC's top five batting averages.

RAFFO AS A PLAYER
As a player, Raffo was co-captain of the 1990 Mississippi State team that advanced to the College World Series.  He was a two-time Academic All-American and a three-time Academic All-SEC selection.  He was named first-team All-SEC in 1989 and 1990, and in 1990 earned second-team All-America honors from both the American Baseball Coaches Association and Baseball America. 

After earning his Bachelors of Business Administration Degree from Mississippi State in 1990, he was chosen by the Miami Miracle with the first pick of the eighth round in the 1990 MLB Draft.  While playing in the Reds organization, he was the MVP of the 1991 South Atlantic League All-Star Game, and was Co-Captain of the 1992 Midwest League Champion Cedar Rapid Reds.

PERSONAL
A native of Orange Park, Fla., Raffo is married to the former Paula Hawkins of Calhoun City, Miss., and they are the parents of two daughters, Claudia Elizabeth and Anna Winifred and a son, Thomas Hanniford “Ford”. 

The Tommy Raffo File

Personal
Wife: Paula
Children: Claudia, Anna & Ford

Education
High School: Bishop Kenny High School
College: Mississippi State, 1990 (Business Administration)

Playing Career
1987-1990 - Mississippi State
1990 - Miami Miracle
1991-1992 - Cincinnati Reds Organization
1993 - St. Paul Saints (Northern League)

Playing Honors
Two-time All-America
Two-time All-SEC
Two-time All-SEC Tournament
Ranks among the top-10 in several Mississippi State hitting categories
Two-time GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-America
First pick of the 8th round in 1990 MLB Draft
MVP of 1991 South Atlantic League All-Star Game
Mississippi State Baseball Ron Polk Ring of Honor Class of 2023

Coaching Career
1994-97 Volunteer Assistant, Mississippi State
1998-2008 Assistant Coach, Mississippi State
2009-Present, Head Coach, Arkansas State

Coaching Honors
2007 Fellowship of Christian Athletes SEC Coach of the Year
2012 Sun Belt Conference Ron Maestri Coach of the Year
ABCA Division-I All-American & Coach of the Year Committee (2013-present; Chair 2018-present)